Saber Interactive
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'There is absolutely no generative AI in Space Marine 3' promises Saber Interactive executive
Saber Interactive's Chief Creative Officer Tim Willits stated that their upcoming game, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2, will not utilize generative AI in its development. While Saber is experimenting with AI in smaller projects like Rideshare Stimulator, they are being cautious with major titles, especially those with licensed properties like Warhammer 40,000.
Saber CCO Tim Willits is still bullish on AI, but concerned about its environmental impact: 'Elon wants to put servers in space. That could be the answer, right?'
Saber Interactive CCO Tim Willits expressed optimism about AI in game development but voiced significant concerns regarding its environmental impact, citing data center energy consumption. He humorously suggested Elon Musk's idea of space-based servers as a potential solution. The discussion also touched upon Saber's use of AI in 'Rideshare Stimulator' and a past controversy involving a writer.
Saber Interactive CCO says studio won't change its comms strategy after AI writer controversy
Saber Interactive's Chief Creative Officer Tim Willits stated the studio will not change its communications strategy following a controversy where the CEO suggested replacing a writer with AI. Despite the CEO's apology to the writer, Willits indicated the company stands by its direct communication style, referencing past backlash over game releases and expressing confidence in their upcoming titles.
Saber CCO says the studio isn't changing up its comms strategy after recent controversies: 'There's…
Saber Interactive's Chief Creative Officer Tim Willits stated the studio will not change its communication strategy despite recent controversies. The studio faced backlash over its handling of a writer's termination and the use of AI in game development for 'Rideshare Stimulator'. Willits believes the games themselves will ultimately speak for the company.
Saber CCO Tim Willits blames layoffs on games industry overspecialization: 'Studios that have a couple hundred employees that work on one game are going to struggle'
Saber Interactive CCO Tim Willits attributes some of the games industry's current struggles, including layoffs, to an overreliance on large-scale games with highly specialized teams. He suggests that studios with a more flexible approach, able to move resources between projects of varying scopes and develop smaller, unexpected hits like SnowRunner, are better positioned for survival and creative success.
Confirmed: No Generative AI in Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 3
Saber Interactive has confirmed that Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 3 will not feature generative AI, following fan backlash to its use in other games. The developer reassured players that the technology is not being used in the upcoming title.
John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando gets a brand new mode in a big free update
John Carpenter's Toxic Commando has received a significant free update introducing a new Retrieval Mode where players must collect relics and extract before being overwhelmed by zombies. The update also adds new enemies like Goblins, weapons such as the Le Clairon assault rifle and Flamethrower, a Dash ability, and improvements to vehicles and AI bots. A separate cosmetic DLC and a promotion involving Fortnite are also available.
"We can get any IP" - Saber CCO on why reviving dormant franchises is the big, obvious secret the the publisher's success, and why Xbox could learn from it
Saber Interactive's Chief Creative Officer Tim Willits believes the company's success stems from its strategy of reviving dormant franchises and ensuring projects can generate four times their cost. He highlighted titles like World War Z and Snow Runner as examples of profitable ventures, and suggested that larger companies like Microsoft could benefit from a similar approach by revitalizing underutilized IPs.
Surprise Hit 2024 PS5 Action Game 70% Off on PlayStation Store
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2, a 2024 PlayStation 5 action game developed by Saber Interactive and published by Focus Entertainment, is currently 70% off on the PlayStation Store. The limited-time deal reduces the price to $20.99 until September 10, after which it will return to its original $69.99 price. The game is also available in the PS Plus Extra catalog.
Saber Interactive hands-on with Hellraiser: Revival, Turok: Origins and Stuntman
Saber Interactive showcased upcoming titles Clive Barker's Hellraiser: Revival, Turok: Origins, and Stuntman: Hollywood at Gamescom. Hellraiser: Revival is a survival horror game set to release on October 8 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch 2, and PC. Turok: Origins is a prequel shooter with co-op, planned for early 2027. Stuntman: Hollywood revives the stunt driving series with movie-themed challenges and is slated for 2027.
The adult game crackdown is "ridiculous for our art form", say Hellraiser devs, but they think they'll survive thanks to that Clive Barker association
Developers of Clive Barker's Hellraiser: Revival express frustration over the ongoing crackdown on adult games, calling it 'ridiculous for our art form.' They believe the established IP status of Hellraiser provides some protection against bans on platforms like Steam, though they acknowledge the chilling effect on developers of original IPs. The game will launch on Steam on October 8 but faces challenges with age classification in territories like Germany and Japan.
Despite horrendous layoffs, obscene hardware prices, and everything else, Saber Interactive exec says 'this is a…
Despite industry-wide challenges like layoffs and high hardware prices, Saber Interactive's Tim Willits believes it's a good time for game development due to accessible platforms like mobile phones and Fortnite. He encourages developers to create games and suggests laid-off talent will be reabsorbed by the industry.
Turok: Origins – A Classic, Arcade-Style Shooter That Celebrates What Shooters Do Best
Turok: Origins is shaping up to be a fun, arcade-style shooter that embraces classic gameplay with dinosaurs, aliens, and big guns. The upcoming title from Saber Interactive will feature both single-player and co-op campaigns, with players choosing from distinct classes like Cougar, Bison, and Raven. The game is set to release on Xbox Series X|S and aims to offer a satisfying shooting experience in short or long play sessions.
Ori 3 is Not in Development at Saber Interactive, Says Chief Creative Officer
Saber Interactive's Chief Creative Officer Tim Willits has denied that the studio is developing Ori 3, refuting recent rumors. While Saber is working on other exciting projects, Moon Studios' CEO Thomas Mahler stated that they would make a new Ori game if given the go-ahead, calling the rumors nonsense.
"The Half-Life 2 of AI" will change people's minds about AI, Saber exec says after CEO claims he'd…
Saber Interactive's Chief Creative Officer Tim Willits believes a breakthrough game, akin to Half-Life 2's impact, will eventually change public perception of generative AI in gaming. While the company is experimenting with AI in its game Rideshare Stimulator, Willits acknowledges the industry is still figuring out its place and consumer acceptance, contrasting it with the established utility of platforms like Steam. Despite industry backlash and legal concerns, Willits remains optimistic about AI's potential.
Saber Boss Reacts To The Death Of Physical Games And Rising Console Prices
Saber Interactive's Chief Creative Officer Tim Willits shared his thoughts on the decline of physical games and the rising cost of consoles. While acknowledging the convenience of digital titles and his personal shift away from physical media, Willits noted that Saber still profits from physical game sales, particularly in Europe. He also speculated about a future "AI box" for games and expressed concern over current console prices, suggesting it will be interesting to see how Sony and Microsoft navigate this trend with future hardware.
id Software's former co-owner says they absolutely would've used gen AI back in the day: 'John Carmack…
Former id Software co-owner Tim Willits discusses the potential and current limitations of generative AI in game development, noting Saber Interactive's experiments with the technology in 'Rideshare Simulator'. He believes a groundbreaking AI-driven game, akin to 'Half-Life 2' for its impact, will eventually emerge, though acknowledges current implementations often fall short. Willits also speculates that id Software would have embraced generative AI if it were available during their pioneering days.
Saber Responds To AI Criticisms In Rideshare Game And Promises, “We Will Never Fire Someone And Replace Them With AI”
Saber Interactive's Chief Creative Officer Tim Willits addressed criticisms regarding the use of AI in their upcoming game, Rideshare Simulator, and stated that the company has never fired an employee to replace them with AI. While the main campaign's dialogue is human-written, a "free ride" mode will utilize generative AI for rapid updates referencing real-world events. Saber confirmed that other titles like Hellraiser and Turok do not use AI and emphasized their continued hiring practices, with their writing staff tripling since 2023.
Hellraiser: Revival Is More Than Just Cenobites and Gore – 10 Things We Learned From Saber Interactive
Saber Interactive developers discussed Hellraiser: Revival, a horror game set in 2006 that aims to capture the spirit of Clive Barker's original work and films. The game will feature extreme subject matter, puzzle elements within the Labyrinth, and a significant role for Pinhead, voiced by Doug Bradley. The 'Genesis Configuration' puzzle box is a new element powered by suffering, and the game will explore themes of consensual mutilation and the untrustworthy nature of Cenobites.
"Somebody will make the Half-Life 2 of AI" - after the Rideshare controversy, Saber CCO says something will come along and "change people's minds" about gen-AI
Saber Interactive's Chief Creative Officer Tim Willits believes a groundbreaking game akin to "Half-Life 2 of AI" will emerge, changing public perception of generative AI in gaming. Despite recent controversy surrounding its use in "Rideshare Stimulator," Saber is experimenting with AI, with Willits emphasizing the need for innovation and the potential for AI to create new experiences, drawing parallels to the initial skepticism surrounding Steam.
